6 Best Salt Block Feeders for Sheep

You put out a fresh, 50-pound salt block on Monday, and by Friday it’s a melted puddle in a muddy corner of the pasture. That block wasn’t just salt; it was an investment in your flock’s health, full of essential minerals like selenium, copper, and zinc. Watching it dissolve into the ground is like watching money wash away in the rain.

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, this site earns from qualifying purchases. Thank you!

Why a Good Feeder Prevents Mineral Waste

A mineral feeder isn’t just a container; it’s a tool for protecting your investment and your animals’ health. Without one, you’re fighting a losing battle against weather and waste. Rain is the biggest culprit, dissolving expensive blocks and turning loose minerals into an unpalatable sludge that sheep will ignore.

The second enemy is contamination. A block placed directly on the ground will inevitably get covered in mud and manure, making it unappealing and unsanitary. Sheep will also knock over, stand on, or otherwise play with an unsecured block, breaking it into small, easily lost pieces.

A good feeder solves these problems by elevating the mineral, keeping it clean, and shielding it from the elements. This ensures your flock gets the nutrition they need, and you get the full value from every bag or block you buy. It’s a simple piece of equipment that pays for itself quickly.

Little Giant Holder: A Simple, Durable Option

For those who keep their flock in a barn or a three-sided shelter, the Little Giant Salt Block Holder is a perfect starting point. It’s a no-frills, practical solution. Typically made from heavy-duty molded plastic or galvanized steel, these holders are designed to be screwed directly to a wall or sturdy post.

Their primary job is simple: get the block off the ground. By mounting it at sheep-height, you immediately solve the problem of contamination from mud and manure. It also prevents the block from being used as a toy, so it won’t get shattered and scattered across the bedding.

The major tradeoff here is the complete lack of weather protection. This is strictly an indoor or under-cover option. If you place one of these on an exposed fence post, you’ll have the same puddle of dissolved minerals you started with—it will just be a puddle inside a plastic box. For dry, sheltered areas, its simplicity and low cost are hard to beat.

Tarter Mineral Feeder for Weather Protection

When your sheep spend their time in an open pasture, you need a feeder that can stand up to the weather. The Tarter Mineral Feeder is a popular choice designed specifically for this challenge. It’s a ground-based unit with a heavy rubber body and a protective rubber flap that covers the mineral compartment.

The design is clever. The flap is heavy enough to keep driving rain and snow out, but light enough for a sheep to easily nudge open with its nose. This keeps your salt block or loose mineral dry and clean, dramatically reducing waste from dissolution. Its low-profile, durable construction also means it’s stable and won’t get tipped over easily.

The main consideration is its portability. While not excessively heavy, it’s still a substantial piece of equipment to haul across pastures if you practice intensive rotational grazing. Some animals may also need a day or two to learn how to lift the flap, but sheep are curious and usually figure it out quickly, especially if you prop it open for the first day. This is a fantastic all-around option for pasture-based flocks.

Behlen Country Feeder: Low-Profile Ground Unit

The Behlen Country Feeder is all about stability. Often made from thick, recycled rubber, this feeder is essentially a shallow, heavy-duty tub. Its weight and extremely low center of gravity make it almost impossible for sheep to flip, push, or break.

This is the kind of feeder you can drop in a field and forget about. It will withstand weather, animal abuse, and even the occasional bump from a tractor tire. If your main problem is animals destroying or tipping their mineral source, this is your solution.

However, it offers zero protection from rain. Any precipitation will collect in the tub, turning loose minerals into soup and accelerating the erosion of a salt block. This makes it a better fit for arid climates or for use inside a shelter where its stability is still a benefit. For many, its durability is a huge plus, but the lack of a cover is a significant drawback in wet regions.

High Country MF-10 for Maximum Durability

If you want a feeder that will likely outlast your fence posts, the High Country MF-10 is a top contender. These are typically made from a single piece of rotationally molded polyethylene, the same tough material used for water tanks and kayaks. They are, for all practical purposes, indestructible in a farm environment.

The MF-10 is built to take abuse from livestock and shrug off extreme weather without cracking or becoming brittle. Its design is low and wide, providing excellent stability similar to the Behlen feeder. You can leave this out year-round without worrying about sun damage or freezing temperatures compromising its integrity.

Like other open-top ground feeders, its primary weakness is the lack of a weather cover. Rain and snow will collect inside, so it’s best suited for holding large, weather-resistant salt blocks rather than fine loose minerals in wet climates. The upfront cost is higher than simpler models, but you’re paying for lifetime durability. If you’ve had other plastic feeders crack or break, this is a worthy upgrade.

Brower MFB Poly Feeder for Fence Mounting

Fence-line feeders offer a unique set of advantages, and the Brower MFB Poly Feeder is a great example. This feeder is designed to be mounted directly onto a fence, gate, or wall, keeping it completely off the ground and out of the way. This is the ultimate solution for preventing contamination.

By mounting it on a dividing fence between two pastures, a single feeder can serve two different groups of animals, saving money and time. It also saves valuable floor space in a crowded barn or loafing shed. The durable poly construction holds up well to weather and animal interaction.

The main tradeoffs are installation and capacity. You’ll need to securely bolt it in place, which is more work than just setting a feeder on the ground. While it has a built-in hood that offers some protection, it’s not as weatherproof as a fully covered ground model like the Tarter. It’s an excellent choice for optimizing space and maintaining hygiene in a more permanent setup.

Sioux Steel Bull Feeder: A Heavy-Duty Choice

Don’t let the name fool you; a feeder tough enough for a bull is more than a match for a flock of sheep. The Sioux Steel Bull Feeder is the definition of heavy-duty. Constructed with a steel frame and a heavy rubber tub and flap, this feeder is built for maximum durability and weather protection.

This unit is immovable and indestructible by livestock. Its sheer weight means your sheep won’t be nudging it out of place, and the steel and thick rubber components are designed to withstand years of abuse. The large rubber hood provides excellent coverage, keeping minerals dry in the harshest conditions.

This level of durability comes at a cost, both in price and portability. This is the most expensive option on the list and is far too heavy to be moved regularly for rotational grazing. It’s best for a permanent or semi-permanent location where you need the absolute toughest, most weatherproof feeder available. For most small flocks it’s overkill, but if you’ve had other feeders fail, this is a final solution.

Key Factors for Choosing Your Mineral Feeder

Choosing the right feeder isn’t about finding the "best" one, but the best one for your farm. Your specific needs will dictate the right choice, so think through these key factors before you buy.

First, consider your environment. Do your sheep live in a barn or out on open pasture? If they are consistently exposed to rain and snow, a feeder with a protective cover is non-negotiable. For indoor use or in a very dry climate, a simple, inexpensive holder might be all you need.

Next, think about flock management and size. If you practice rotational grazing, a lightweight, portable feeder is essential. A heavy, immovable feeder will become a major chore. For a large flock, you’ll need a feeder with enough capacity and access for multiple animals at once to prevent competition.

Finally, balance durability and budget. A cheap plastic holder might only last a season or two in harsh sunlight or freezing cold, while a heavy-duty rubber or steel feeder could last for decades. The higher upfront cost of a durable, weatherproof feeder often pays for itself within a year or two by preventing the waste of expensive minerals.

Ultimately, a mineral feeder is a small but critical piece of your flock management system. By matching the feeder to your environment, flock size, and management style, you can stop wasting money on dissolved minerals and ensure your sheep have consistent access to the nutrition they need to thrive. It’s a simple change that makes a real difference to your bottom line and your animals’ well-being.